The iPhone 18 Pro is a powerful device with a new chip and better thermals, but its design is largely unchanged from the previous model. Ars Technica notes that while Apple is experimenting with the iPhone's design, the 18 Pro does not reflect this. The phone includes a new variable aperture and camera controls for more granular mobile photography. The most significant changes are under the hood, including a new chip, better battery life, and improved thermals that help with sustained performance.

The new variable aperture mechanism is a notable hardware addition. iFixit has revealed that the aperture uses six overlapping blades, each roughly the thickness of a human hair, to control light intake. This mechanism is squeezed into the same main camera footprint as the iPhone 17 Pro series. The physical widening of the aperture could offer tangible benefits in low-light conditions, potentially reducing reliance on heavy image processing.